DNS 6 YXDOMAIN vs 17 BADKEY
Both DNS 6 (YXDOMAIN) and 17 (BADKEY) belong to the DNS Response Codes (RCODEs) category. 6 indicates that name Exists when it should not. Used in dynamic updates to indicate a name that should not exist already has records. Meanwhile, 17 means that key not recognized. The TSIG key name in the message is not configured on the server.
Description
Name Exists when it should not. Used in dynamic updates to indicate a name that should not exist already has records.
When You See It
A DNS UPDATE prerequisite check failed because the domain name already exists when the update expected it to be absent.
How to Fix
Review your dynamic update prerequisites. If you expect to create a new name, remove the existing records first or change the prerequisite to allow existing names.
Description
Key not recognized. The TSIG key name in the message is not configured on the server.
When You See It
Your TSIG-signed query or update references a key name that the server does not have in its keyring, so it cannot verify the signature.
How to Fix
Ensure the TSIG key name matches exactly (case-sensitive) on both client and server. Add the missing key to the server's configuration if it is a new key.
Key Differences
DNS 6: Name Exists when it should not. Used in dynamic updates to indicate a name that should not exist already has records.
DNS 17: Key not recognized. The TSIG key name in the message is not configured on the server.
You encounter 6 when a DNS UPDATE prerequisite check failed because the domain name already exists when the update expected it to be absent.
You encounter 17 when your TSIG-signed query or update references a key name that the server does not have in its keyring, so it cannot verify the signature.
When to Use Which
For 6 (YXDOMAIN): Review your dynamic update prerequisites. If you expect to create a new name, remove the existing records first or change the prerequisite to allow existing names. For 17 (BADKEY): Ensure the TSIG key name matches exactly (case-sensitive) on both client and server. Add the missing key to the server's configuration if it is a new key.